#1 Geography Basics

Question 1

Distortion

Answer 1

Results when a the earth is displayed on a two dimensional map. Distance, area, shape and direction cannot all be displayed accurately.

Question 2

Dot map

Answer 2

Map that shows the distribution of a phenomenon in the form of dots that represent a number of the phenomenon being displayed.

Question 3

Choropleth map

Answer 3

a map that uses differences in shading, coloring, or the placing of symbols within predefined areas to indicate the average values of a property or quantity in those areas.

Question 4

Cartogram

Answer 4

Map that increases or decreases the size of areas based upon the value of a described phenomenon.

Question 5

Thematic map

Answer 5

Map that shows a specific phenomenon to help understand it.

Question 6

Reference map

Answer 6

Map that is used to show the location of places, landforms and cities.

Question 7

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Answer 7

A computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic information.

Question 8

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Answer 8

A system that uses satellite data to show the position of something or someone on the earth’s surface.

Question 9

Absolute location

Answer 9

The precise point of something on the earth’s surface as found by a coordinate or mathematical system.

Question 10

Relative Location

Answer 10

Knowing where one thing is in relation to another.

Question 11

Distance decay

Answer 11

The idea that interactions between places decrease with increased distance.

Question 12

Space-Time-Compression

Answer 12

The idea that interactions between far apart places have increased because of improved technology

Question 13

Environmental determinism

Answer 13

The concept that the environment and natural conditions solely control what humans do in a place.

Question 14

Possibilism

Answer 14

The idea that the environment sets some constraints on humans, but that humans can adapt and overcome natural conditions.

Question 15

Scales of analysis

Answer 15

The level at which a phenomenon is being studied and analyzed including local, national, regional and global scales.

Question 16

Formal region

Answer 16

An area of the earth with distinct boundaries based upon data, or law.

Question 17

Vernacular (perceptual) region

Answer 17

An area that is defined based upon the way people speak and communicate or the attitudes of a place. The definition of this type of region can shift depending on the person defining it.

Question 18

Functional (nodal) region

Answer 18

An area of the earth that is centered on a central point that exerts its influence on the area surrounding it.

Question 19

Mercator Projection

Answer 19

Map created in the 1400’s used to navigate. area and distance are distorted, while shape and direction are accurate.

Question 20

Robinson Projection

Answer 20

This map has no fully accurate aspects but seems “right” It was used in textbooks for years as a reference map.

Question 21

Peters Projection

Answer 21

This map is used to create an equal area map that elongates the shapes of continents. It is used to convey more equal status of countries because it does not inflate the size of areas near the poles.